Ancient Rome was the inspiration for the Fragrance Foundation's 34th annual FiFi awards—vine-wrapped columns hung from the Hammerstein Ballroom's 75-foot-high ceiling, more leafy vines draped the balconies, and decorative branches adorned the podium. Harpist Kirsten Agresta strummed softly during the cocktail hour, her music barely heard above the din of excited guests. Despite the wet and windy April weather, more than 1,000 fragrance, beauty, and fashion industry folks showed up for the award show. The team from Dalzell Productions—now in its third year producing the awards—worked with the foundation's president, Rochelle Bloom, to design, manage, and produce the event.Taking inspiration from Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," the production company worked closely with Tom Baker of Baker Brothers to create the Romanesque look without falling into the trappings of theatrical excess. Opting for a few large pieces (rather than many small-scale accents), the team made the former opera house glimmer with a black curtain with LED stars that looked like a night sky, clever lighting from Chris Dallos (who gave the red carpet walkway to the stage a phosphorescent glow), and hundreds of votives set on the tables. The stage design was uncomplicated; flanking a large gold frame (the backdrop for the podium) were two large video projection screens.
The table centerpieces from Surroundings were lush, but not overwhelming—oranges and lemons floated in clear vases, and were interspersed between arrangements of three different types of tulips, stock, roses, Hypericum berries, starfish, and poppies. Larger arrangements of plum branches, peach French tulips, and cymbidium orchids stood tall on pedestals in the lobby uplit in pink and purple lighting.
Tentation Potel & Chabot catered again, passing seven types of hors d'oeuvres including Arancini saffron risotto bites with tomato concasse, coconut shrimp with barbecue wasabi sauce, and saucisson en croute with spicy brown mustard during the cocktail hour. The dinner menu was comprised of an amuse bouche of three tapanades, a zucchini blossom salad and a cannelloni bean salad (presented in a parmesan tuile) for the first course, red snapper Livornese as the entrée, and a Italian tasting plate of chocolate custard on almond sable, tiramisu ice cream in a miniature sugar cone, and orange olive oil cake with .phpberry coulis for dessert.
The award ceremony followed the food—hosted by actress Geena Davis, the show included awards for Sarah Jessica Parker's fragrance Lovely and Michael Kors' bath and body line Island. Estée Lauder's senior corporate vice president Evelyn H. Lauder was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Presenters included Betsey Johnson, Philip Bloch, John Corbett, Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Minnillo, and Bo Derek.
—Anna Sekula
Photo: Courtesy of Dalzell Productions (room)
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The table centerpieces from Surroundings were lush, but not overwhelming—oranges and lemons floated in clear vases, and were interspersed between arrangements of three different types of tulips, stock, roses, Hypericum berries, starfish, and poppies. Larger arrangements of plum branches, peach French tulips, and cymbidium orchids stood tall on pedestals in the lobby uplit in pink and purple lighting.
Tentation Potel & Chabot catered again, passing seven types of hors d'oeuvres including Arancini saffron risotto bites with tomato concasse, coconut shrimp with barbecue wasabi sauce, and saucisson en croute with spicy brown mustard during the cocktail hour. The dinner menu was comprised of an amuse bouche of three tapanades, a zucchini blossom salad and a cannelloni bean salad (presented in a parmesan tuile) for the first course, red snapper Livornese as the entrée, and a Italian tasting plate of chocolate custard on almond sable, tiramisu ice cream in a miniature sugar cone, and orange olive oil cake with .phpberry coulis for dessert.
The award ceremony followed the food—hosted by actress Geena Davis, the show included awards for Sarah Jessica Parker's fragrance Lovely and Michael Kors' bath and body line Island. Estée Lauder's senior corporate vice president Evelyn H. Lauder was honored with a lifetime achievement award. Presenters included Betsey Johnson, Philip Bloch, John Corbett, Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Minnillo, and Bo Derek.
—Anna Sekula
Photo: Courtesy of Dalzell Productions (room)
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For the Fragrance Foundation's FiFi awards at the Hammerstein Ballroom Dalzell Productions created the dramatic Rome-inspired look with large columns hung from the ceiling and glowing lighting.
The stage design from Dalzell Productions and Baker Brothers included a simple gold frame and a clear podium covered in decorative vines.
Simple floral centerpieces of oranges, lemons, tulips, stock, roses, Hypericum berries, starfish, and poppies sat atop each table.
Harpist Kirsten Agresta entertained buzzing guests during the cocktail hour.
